I've been wanting to take a pottery class for years and now I can officially say that, people, this is really, really hard. Finicky. Frustrating. Maddening, even. So when you throw a little pot that GASP looks like a little pot, you feel a triumphant surge of brilliance.

I am not generally someone who enjoys being bad at things. Like mini golf. Being bad at mini golf is just plain miserable. Being bad at wheel throwing is amazing. I could be bad at wheel throwing all day long.

This particular triumphant surge of brilliance lasted oh, a few days till it collapsed in on itself. A watery grave in the slop bucket for my first pot. Still fun, I promise.

I've never done it, so at this point what I'm most amazed about is the fact that you took the time to wipe your clay-caked hands and snap some beautiful photographs! I have a neighbor who makes pottery--his wife rescues his seconds from the garbage bin and brings them to us. He tries to throw away the most gorgeous, ginormous bowls! A crime, I tell you!

OMG. I hate mini-golf too! It's the absolute WORST when people suggest that. Double worse if it's a date. Pottery is also hard. But you get to muck about in clay! Totally makes up for the frustration station.

I can completely commiserate. I took wheel throwing in college. It was so much fun but so incredible hard. But to this day I can walk around my house and see the jars, mugs, and bowls that I threw in that class. They all kind of suck but I made them.

I started taking throwing classes in 2007, and I love it! I have studio time tonight and I'm going to work on a set of coffee mugs (a xmas present for my hubby) and a pedestal cheese stand with a dome. If that's your first pot, it's actually pretty good! What type of clay do you use? Good luck!

You write so well.I adore the words you use and the way you string them together.As for your post...everytime I try something new it's ridiculously exciting the moment it looks as it should. I just made a pleat in sewing class! Now if only I measured the skirt pattern properly...

I think I prefer mini golf. I took a pottery class a few years ago and man was it frustrating. Although, as one person already commented, it is cool to have things that I actually made, even if they're ugly and clunky :) Somebody stole the best mug I made before I could pick it up from the studio...:(Your bowl is beautiful though. I think your sister's right, you won't be bad at it for long. :)

I couldn't agree more! It is awfully fun and gives you such a deep respect for potters. I had an amazing failed pottery experience in college and always think of giving it another shot. Every time I hold a teacup I am in awe.

I've always wanted to take a pottery class and I drive by the most wonderful of pottery places every day - red brick, great texture and people working there till late at night - you give me one more urging in the pottery direction. Now I really do have to give it a go :)

After discovering clay 18 years ago, it has taken me on an unending, wonderful journey, that has lead to me opening my own pottery school. Just keep at it, because once clay is in your blood, you are just screwed. Give in to the clay, and happy potting!

Oh Amy I love throwing pottery! My brilliant mother signed up for classes as a kid and I spent several years between the ages of 9-12 making tiles, soap dishes and the occasional stumpy pot. My brother did it too (2 years my junior, his pots were stumpier than mine) and we still have an incredibly heavy bin of it stashed in a too-full garage. My mother refuses to let any of it go. As do I. Makes me wanna try my hand at it again!